A GREENOCK historian claims the cult TV series 'Tutti Frutti' which launched the acting careers of the likes of Robbie Coltrane actually originated in the town.

Local man Sam Morrell insists the hit BBC programme is influenced by his 1950s band, 'The Teen Beats', which he was a member of.

Sam, 79, also claims legendary Greenock playwright Peter McDougall wrote a strikingly similar script to that of Paisley screenwriter and artist John Byrne, who penned 'Tutti Frutti'.

Nonetheless, Sam is a big fan of the programme and was delighted to see it back on screens for the first time in more than 30 years during March and April on the new BBC Scotland channel.

The show, about the fictional band 'The Majestics', famously launched the careers of the likes of Coltrane, Emma Thompson and Greenock's own Richard Wilson.

Another legendary local figure within the industry, Bill Bryden, was also involved behind the scenes.

Sam said: "Peter McDougall ran about with the band and was secretly taking down notes all the time.

"He told me at the time he was going to put a script into the BBC and I said 'brilliant' but I didn't think anything of it. "Richard Wilson was in it and helped launch his career, as well as those of Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson. "Bill Bryden, who came from Branchton, was also involved.

"The people of Greenock always knew there was a big local connection to the show."

The acclaimed six-part series won six Bafta awards and was written by Paisley screenwriter and artist Byrne.

It was originally released in 1987 and repeated the following year but had not been seen on TV since the most recent re-run during March and April.

There was also a successful LP released with all the songs from the show, which Sam has in his record collection.

He said: "The show was a huge success and it was great to see it back on TV again."